Week 3 Post-Trial

[xxxx_me]

[It's hard to feel much cheer after finding out the culprit. Everyone's welcome to do whatever brings them peace after such a tense time, whether it's jotting down memories before the next loss or finding other things to occupy themselves with.]

Comments

[scratchitti]

We can bury them if you want.

[xxxx_me]

...I suggested things like that, but she never thought it was safe enough. I'll... I'll figure something out.

[He stands this time, hefting a forester's axe. He spends a short moment staring dully at it in his hands before setting it down heavily on the skirt along with the knife.]

[scratchitti]

It's probably too strong to try and snap...

[He sighs. At least the bullets for his gun were small so easy to scatter]

[xxxx_me]

I thought about trying to burn the handles, at least. There's matches in the vending machine on the second floor.

[scratchitti]

Even if it doesn't work it might feel good to destroy something.

[xxxx_me]

[That seems to snap him out of his reverie a little more.]

...You think so?

[scratchitti]

Might. And if it's something we want to get rid of anyway then we don't have to feel bad about doing it.

[xxxx_me]

Mm...

[Oh. That does remind him though.]

If you try to burn the cardboard cut out people, they scream.

[That's just. That's just a thing. Anyway, back to rooting around.

A set of brass knuckles gets added to the pile.]

[scratchitti]

... seriously!? Wow that's morbid even for the Alices...

[xxxx_me]

Yeah. Nigel and I tried it yesterday.

[It feels so long ago now, though.

Digging around a little more doesn't offer any other weapons really, and he glances around the room one last time, eyes lingering briefly on the TV before he turns to Neku instead.]

...Is it okay if I have a little time by myself? I can meet you at the fire pit with the axe... Um, maybe half an hour from now?

I have one too. So I can bring both of them.

[scratchitti]

Yeah, of course. I'll wait for you there. Take all the time you need- not like I have anything better to do.

[xxxx_me]

[He gives a tiny nod.]

Thanks, Neku.

[scratchitti]

No problem.

[he heads out, chilling by the fire pit as long as it takes- he wasn't lying, he has nothing better to be doing.]

[xxxx_me]

[Allen shows up a bit late, using the skirt to help him carry both the axes - the heads pointed up in the fabric with the handles sticking out.]

S-sorry, it was harder to carry than I thought.

[scratchitti]

[He jogs over to help the last few feet]

Don't worry about it. I got some kindling ready to go.

[xxxx_me]

[Gratefully handing the thing over to Neku. Shockingly it's kind of hard to haul two sharp metal things up a floor and across a carnival without cutting yourself.]

Thank you...

[scratchitti]

Don't act like I'm not going to enjoy a little destruction for my own sake.

[He tries to smile but it's really thin]

The metal stuff probably won't melt but we can bury whatever's left in the pit and unless someone is watching I doubt they'd look.

[xxxx_me]

[Nodding.]

Yeah, I think that'll work.

[...]

Do you... usually destroy things to make yourself feel better?

[Like. It seems like he's used to this?]

[scratchitti]

[His eyes widen a little, and he looks at the pit]

Not usually so literally. And... not as much as I used to.

[xxxx_me]

[He just kind of tilts his head questioningly. Gonna elaborate at all?]

[scratchitti]

I would... be mean to people on purpose when I felt bad, sometimes.

[So less property destruction, but still destruction of a sort]

[xxxx_me]

Oh.

[Not entirely expected, but after a moment of thought:]

You're different now, though?

[scratchitti]

A little, yeah. You remember when he met the first day, what my portrait said? That really was what I was like.

[xxxx_me]

[Pausing to remember...]

"I don't give a rat's ass if you think I'm rude?"

[Allen no!!!]

[scratchitti]

[He snorts]

Welp, guess there's no point censoring myself now.

[you think he's gonna tell him not to cuss? Hell no]

But yeah, that. I was a huge asshole.